Field reports: Grouse wing collection helps survey populations

HUNTING – Hunters can help state wildlife biologists monitor forest grouse populations by depositing the wings and tails of birds they harvest this season in collection barrels.

Washington Fish and Wildlife staff has placed barrels at about a dozen road junctions hunters might use in accessing hunting areas in Spokane, Stevens and Ferry counties, plus agency offices, said Mike Atamian, Spokane district wildlife biologist.

Collection barrels also have been stationed in the department’s Yakima and Ephrata regions.

Washington seasons for ruffed, Franklin and dusky grouse open Sept. 1.

The wings and tails give biologists “enough information to log species, sex, age and other demographic data of the harvest to help us better manage the populations,” he said.

Hunters can pick up the wing-n-tail bags at the barrels, at a WFDW office, or they can use any clean paper bag, he said.

Northeast Washington grouse wing barrel location include:

Ferry County – Bulldog Cabin Road and Boulder Pass, South Fork Sherman (east end) and U.S. 20

Stevens County – Sand Canyon near first cattle guard, Bear Creek Road where it enters the Little Pend Oreille Refuge, Narcisse Creek Road where it enters the Little Pend Oreille Refuge and Stevens County-Olson/Flodelle/Tacoma Creek Road where it enters the Little Pend Oreille Refuge.

Spokane County – Inland Empire Paper gate at Thompson Creek, Inland Empire Paper gate at Blanchard Hump, FAA gate at Starr Road on Mica Peak, WDFW Regional Headquarters in Spokane Valley Lab rollup door (for after-hours and weekend drop-off).

Junior Rifle Club

invites new shooters

SHOOTING – The Spokane Junior Rifle Team, which has produced several world-class shooters since it was founded 50 years ago, will hold an open house for prospective members at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, at the Spokane Rifle Club’s indoor range along the Spokane River.

“Many Spokane kids have attended college on NCAA shooting scholarships and several have gone to regional, national and international competitions, including the Olympic Games,” said coach Michael Furrer.

He should know. His daughter, Amanda Furrer, shot her way from the Spokane junior team to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Boys and girls age 10-18 interested in marksmanship as a sport or hobby are invited to the informal introduction, noting that no experience or equipment is needed, he said.

Info: spokanerifleclub.com.

Idaho fish record

categories unfilled

FISHING – Anglers wanting to put their names in the record books have a good shot in Idaho, where nine categories of catch-and-release records have yet to have an entry.

The option to photograph, measure and release a fish for record status was enacted this year and many records have been logged.

But no fish have been submitted so far in catch-and-release record categories for tiger musky, Lahontan cutthroat, bullhead, tiger trout (brown/brook hybrid), golden trout, lake whitefish, flathead catfish, Gerrard Rainbow (Pend Oreille) and splake (brook/lake trout hybrid).

To enter a fish into the state catch-and-release records, anglers can complete the record fish application form available on the Idaho Fish and Game Department website.

All applications must be submitted within 30 days of the catch date.